Imran Khan wins America

It was a Sunday night and Washington’s large Capital One Arena was packed. But it wasn’t packed for basketball or a music concert; 30,000 American Pakistanis came to attend the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. It was at this moment when on a cultural level, decades of mistrust and bad blood between Pakistan and the United States (US) evaporated.

Prior to the formation of Imran’s government, Pakistan’s prime ministers were the kind of people who could only fill large public squares at home by mobilising a network of bribery and patronage. Such politicians could not attract any great attention abroad or in places where the system of feudal political patronage does not exist.

The moment when PM Imran Khan arrived. A magical reception for a people’s leader. The countdown, the arrival, the echoes of the crowd. This is the stuff of dreams. The dreams of Naya Pakistan.

People from all over the US at their own cost in order to see Imran in the flesh. When he took to the stage, flanked by both a Pakistan and American flag. What’s more is that when speaking of a desire to create opportunities for Pakistanis to advance their worldly condition on a level playing field, he was speaking the language of political optimism that once defined American politics. But whilst American politics grows ever more cynical, Imran assured his audience of 20,000 that a forward-looking ‘Naya Pakistan’ is being built for them and for their children. He discussed all the matters with his people and make them sure that Pakistan is going to be a better country.